U.S. patent number 5,634,357 [Application Number 08/398,561] was granted by the patent office on 1997-06-03 for enclosure handle.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Federal-Hoffman, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jim I. Myers, Curtis F. Nutter.
United States Patent |
5,634,357 |
Nutter , et al. |
June 3, 1997 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Enclosure handle
Abstract
A latch handle (20) includes a grip portion (22) and a housing
portion (24) with a spindle (28) extending therefrom to actuate a
latch. The handle (20) rotates about an escutcheon (26) and is
configured for receiving two or more padlocks. The handle grip
portion (22) includes a padlock receiving portion (32) while the
escutcheon (26) has a raised portion (34) aligning with the lock
receiving portion (32). The escutcheon (26) takes on a second
embodiment (126) for rotation in an opposite direction. A defeater
device (30) includes a retainer (40) coupled to a plunger member
(50). The plunger member (50) slides axially within a bore (70) and
rotates relative to an insert (60). The insert includes a cammed
surface (62) which receives tabs (52) of the plunger member (50).
The plunger member (50) is biased by compression spring (48) and
torsion spring (56) to urge the tabs (52) against the cammed
surface (62) so that the plunger member (50) moves axially as the
retainer (40) is rotated.
Inventors: |
Nutter; Curtis F. (Anoka,
MN), Myers; Jim I. (Decorah, IA) |
Assignee: |
Federal-Hoffman, Inc. (Anoka,
MN)
|
Family
ID: |
23575850 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/398,561 |
Filed: |
March 3, 1995 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
70/210; 70/203;
70/212; 70/224; 70/379R; 70/452 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B
13/106 (20130101); E05B 67/383 (20130101); Y10T
70/8568 (20150401); Y10T 70/577 (20150401); Y10T
70/5739 (20150401); Y10T 70/7706 (20150401); Y10T
70/5832 (20150401); Y10T 70/5779 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
E05B
13/00 (20060101); E05B 13/10 (20060101); E05B
67/38 (20060101); E05B 67/00 (20060101); E05B
013/10 (); G05G 005/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;70/201,202,210,211,212,379R,248,245,224,261,452 ;292/244 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
|
|
|
3510439 |
|
Sep 1986 |
|
DE |
|
692503 |
|
Jun 1953 |
|
GB |
|
9006412 |
|
Jun 1990 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
P 502 of Hoffman Engineering Company Specifier's Guide, 1995-1996,
showing lock kits for enclosures and junction boxes. .
Pp. 574-575 of Hoffman Engineering Company Specifier's Guide,
1995-1996, showing handles, latches and clamps for use on Hoffman
custom enclosures. .
Cover page of a DECO brochure, dated Apr., 1993, showing a latch
handle..
|
Primary Examiner: Boucher; Darnell M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Merchant, Gould, Smith, Edell,
Welter & Schmidt
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A handle for an enclosure, comprising:
a rotatable member cylindrical housing having a grip portion, and
including a spindle extending from the housing, wherein the grip
portion is substantially transverse to the spindle;
handle lock receiving means located on the grip portion;
interchangeable escutcheon members including a raised annular
portion around the periphery of the members mounted on the
enclosure receiving the cylindrical housing, comprising a first
escutcheon member selectively configured for preventing clockwise
rotation of the rotatable member, the first escutcheon member
having a raised lock receiving portion offset to the clockwise side
of the handle lock receiving means; and a second escutcheon member
selectively configured for preventing counter-clockwise rotation of
the rotatable member, the second escutcheon member having a raised
lock receiving portion aligned with and offset to the
counter-clockwise side of the handle lock receiving means.
2. A handle according to claim 1, wherein the handle lock receiving
means is radially aligned with a rotational axis of the handle.
3. A handle according to claim 2, wherein the first escutcheon
means includes raised lock receiving means aligned with the handle
lock receiving means on a first side of the handle lock receiving
means and wherein the second escutcheon means includes raised lock
receiving means aligned with the handle lock receiving means on a
second side of the handle lock receiving means.
4. A latch handle apparatus, comprising:
a base portion defining a bore extending therethrough and grip
portion extending substantially transverse to the bore;
an integral lock defeater device, including:
a plunger member sliding axially in the bore and rotating in the
bore between a locked position and an unlocked position;
compressive biasing means engaging the plunger member and urging
the plunger member toward the locked position;
torsional biasing means for biasing the plunger member to rotate
toward a locked position;
a cylindrical camming member defining an axially extending camming
surface including a raised portion and a depressed portion engaging
a complementary camming surface formed on a ridge in the bore,
wherein the camming member includes sidewalls forming an inner
cavity, and wherein the camming member slides over the plunger
member so that the plunger member extends into the cavity;
mounting means defining a recess receiving the plunger in the
locked position.
5. A latch handle according to claim 4, including rotation limiting
means for limiting rotation of the latch handle within a
predetermined range.
6. A latch handle according to claim 4, further comprising a
retainer member axially attached to the plunger member and
configured for receiving an actuator tool.
7. A latch handle according to claim 4, wherein the camming member
comprises an annular camming surface and wherein the plunger member
includes tabs extending radially outward and sliding on the camming
surface.
8. A lock defeater device for mounting through a bore in a housing,
comprising:
a plunger member sliding axially between a locked position and a
retracted position;
a retainer member for retaining the defeater device in the bore and
coupled to the plunger member;
biasing means for biasing the plunger member toward a locked
position; and,
an annular cammed member having an axially extending cammed surface
and defining a passage receiving the plunger member, and wherein
the bore defines a shoulder having an axially extending annular
camming surface extending around the bore.
9. A latch apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the biasing
means comprises compressive and rotational biasing means.
10. A latch apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the rotational
biasing means comprises a torsion spring attached to the insert and
the plunger.
11. A latch apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the torsional
biasing means comprises a spring inserting radially intermediate
the cammed member and the plunger member.
12. A latch apparatus comprising:
a housing including a substantially cylindrical head portion and a
handle portion extending substantially radially from the head
portion;
wherein the head portion defines a bore extending therethrough
including a first portion, a second portion narrower than the first
portion and defining a shoulder extending radially to the first
portion forming a cam surface, a third portion proximate the second
portion and a fourth portion proximate the third portion and wider
than the third portion;
a retainer rotationally mounting in the third and fourth portions
rotating between a locked position and an unlocked position; the
retainer including an end portion;
a lock defeater device including:
a plunger member sliding in the second portion and engaging the end
portion of the retainer; wherein the plunger member slides between
a locked position and an unlocked position; and wherein the plunger
member defines an inner chamber;
a compressive spring extending into the inner chamber intermediate
the retainer and the plunger member;
a cylindrical camming member slidably mounted in the first portion;
the camming member including a camming surface engaging the cam
surface of the shoulder, wherein rotation of the camming member
slides the camming member axially along and at least partially out
of the bore; and wherein the camming member defines an inner cavity
receiving the plunger member;
a helical torsion spring in the inner cavity of the camming member
and extending around the plunger member; and,
a base receiving the head portion and including a recess formed
therein receiving the camming member in the locked position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a latch, and in particular to
a latch having a rotatable handle with an integrally mounted
defeater device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Latches for very large enclosures take on many different
embodiments which are well known. However, improvements are
possible in the enclosure handle field. Therefore an objective of
the present invention to incorporate tool actuation of the defeater
to rotate the handle and open the latch. In addition, the handle
should accommodate either 3 5/16" locks or 23/8" locks or multiple
locking of the handle. The tool actuating the defeater mechanism
should require one of any number of tools, such as a screwdriver,
for opening.
In addition, the latch should rotate 90 degrees in either a
clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction. Previous designs have
limited rotation to one direction for opening and do not easily
accommodate rotation in the other direction.
The latch should have hidden fasteners and internal screws and meet
NEMA 12 and NEMA 4 standards to insure that the latch prevents
entrance of gases, water and oil through the handle portion. The
handle should therefore be sealed and prevent migration through the
defeater and mounting hardware or through the spindle.
Prior handle devices have required a separate defeater mechanism
for the lock. It can be appreciated that it is desireable to have
an integral defeater mechanism to more easily meet the Nema
requirements as well as for aesthetic and manufacturing
reasons.
It can be seen then that a new and improved latch handle is needed
which includes an integrally mounted defeater mechanism. In
addition, the defeater mechanism should provide for actuation with
a tool and should snap between the locked and the unlocked
position. The rotation of the handle to actuate should be within a
limited range and should be easily switchable between clockwise and
counter-clockwise rotation for actuation. In addition, handles
should accommodate several padlocks for locking the handle. The
present invention addresses these as well as other problems related
to large enclosure latch handles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a latch handle such as may be
used with very large enclosures. The present invention includes a
handle which rotates about a fixed base or escutcheon. The handle
includes a grip portion and base portion with a padlock receiving
member extending from the grip towards the base. The padlock
receiving portion is configured to receive two or three padlocks
for providing additional security. In addition, the present
invention includes a defeater mechanism which requires a tool to
actuate and prevents accidental opening when the padlocks have been
removed.
The padlock receiving member of the grip is substantially centered
so that the handle and base are configured for rotating in either
direction. However, the escutcheon includes a complementary padlock
receiving member which is offset to one side or the other and which
limits rotation of the handle to one direction from the locked
position. It can be appreciated that two different embodiments of
the escutcheon are utilized for having the handle rotate either
clockwise or counter-clockwise. The base also includes rotation
limiting members engaging the defeater so that rotation of the
handle is restricted to a predetermined range.
The defeater mechanism is integrally mounted in a bore extending
through the housing portion of the handle. The defeater mechanism
includes a retainer member which may be slotted or otherwise
configured for receiving a tool to actuate the defeater mechanism.
The retainer includes a spring loaded clip which abuts a ledge in
the bore to hold the retainer in place. At an opposite end of the
bore, is an enlarged chamber. The chamber receives an insert which
has a camming surface, or the chamber is otherwise configured to
include a camming surface extending radially along the edge of the
bore. The camming surface receives tabs from a defeater plunger
member which rides on the cammed surface and is slidably mounted
axially in the bore. The plunger member includes a compression
spring and a torsion spring to urge the plunger toward a locked
position. The plunger member engages retainer member and rotates as
the retainer member is rotated. A recess in the escutcheon receives
the plunger member to lock the defeater mechanism.
It can be appreciated that the present invention includes an
integrally mounted defeater and hardware for the defeater so that
the latch and handle provide a more airtight and watertight
enclosure. In addition, the spindle extending from the handle
inserts into a recess formed in the handle housing, but which does
not extend all the way through the housing so that fluids and gases
may not leak through. The escutcheon and housing also include
gaskets to provide a better seal.
These and various other advantages and features of novelty which
characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in
the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a
better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the
objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the
drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying
descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a
preferred embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings, wherein like reference letters and numerals
designate corresponding elements throughout the several views:
FIG. 1 shows a front elevational view of a latch according to the
principles of the present invention;
FIG. 2 shows a rear elevational view of the latch shown in FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 shows a left side elevational view of the latch shown in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 shows a top plan view of the latch shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 shows a bottom plan view of the latch shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 shows an exploded side view of the latch shown in FIG.
1;
FIG. 7 shows a detail sectional view of the defeater device for the
latch shown in FIG. 1 in the locked position;
FIG. 8 shows a detail sectional view of the defeater device for the
latch shown in FIG. 1 in the unlocked position;
FIG. 9 shows a top plan view of the escutcheon for the latch shown
in FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 shows top plan of the defeater plunger member;
FIG. 11 shows top plan of the insert for the defeater
mechanism;
FIG. 12 shows a rear elevational view of a second embodiment of the
latch shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 13 shows a bottom plan view of the latch shown in FIG. 12;
and,
FIG. 14 shows a top plan view of the escutcheon for the latch shown
in FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals
designate corresponding structure throughout the views, and
referring in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a latch handle,
generally designated 20. The latch handle 20 is generally used for
large enclosure latches which require turning in order to open. The
latch handle 20 includes a handle grip portion 22 extending from a
housing portion 24. The housing portion 24 mounts on an escutcheon
26 and rotates relative to the escutcheon 26. The escutcheon 26 is
generally mounted to the door or other enclosure surface to which
the latch is an actuator. As shown in FIG. 3, a spindle 28 extends
outward from the housing portion 24 and through the escutcheon 26.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the escutcheon 26 is configured to mount
flat against the enclosure or door and only requires holes for
mounting and for receiving the spindle. In this manner, leakage
through the enclosure is eliminated and the handle 20 meets NEMA 12
and NEMA 4 standards. A lock defeater 30 includes a retainer 40
which is slotted for receiving a tool, as shown most clearly in
FIGS. 1 and 4.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the handle portion 22 also includes a
lock receiving member 32. The lock receiving member 32 includes an
elongated orifice for receiving two or three padlocks or other
locking devices. It can be appreciated that with the configuration
shown, two 3/8" padlocks may be inserted or three 5/16" padlocks
may be inserted through the opening. The escutcheon 26 includes a
raised lock receiving portion 34, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The
escutcheon lock receiving portion 34 also includes an orifice as
shown in FIG. 6, which aligns with the orifice on the handle lock
receiving portion 32. It can be appreciated that the handle 22 is
able to rotate in only one direction away from the escutcheon lock
receiving portion 34.
As shown most clearly in FIG. 5, the lock receiving member 32 of
the handle 20 is centered the escutcheon lock receiving portion 34
is offset. Therefore, the handle portion 22 and the lock receiving
portion 32 may be utilized for rotation in either direction. When
in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-6, the escutcheon shown is
configured for allowing rotation in the clockwise direction away
from the escutcheon lock receiving portion 34 to actuate the latch
20.
Referring to FIGS. 12-14, there is shown a second embodiment,
generally designated 100, which is configured for actuation in the
counter-clockwise direction away from an escutcheon lock receiving
portion 134 of an escutcheon 126. It can be appreciated that the
escutcheons 26 or 126 are interchangeable to switch the direction's
rotation between clockwise and counter-clockwise. The handle 26 and
housing 24 are used with either escutcheon 26 or 126. Referring now
to FIGS. 9 and 14, and in particular to FIG. 9, the escutcheon 26
includes a base portion 80 with a central orifice 86 and a recess
90 for receiving the defeater mechanism, as explained hereinafter.
Rotation limiting members 82 and 84 extend upward from the base 80,
as shown more clearly in FIG. 6. The raised members 82 and 84 limit
rotation of the plunger portion of the defeater mechanism, as
explained hereinafter. In a similar manner, as shown in FIG. 14,
the escutcheon 126 includes rotation limiting members 182 and 184.
These are placed in a mirror image corresponding to the positioning
shown in FIG. 9 with the lock receiving member 134 also mirroring
the configuration of member 34 shown in FIG. 9. It can be
appreciated that the escutcheons 26 and 126 are easily
interchangeable for switching the direction of rotation.
Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, there is shown the internal mechanism
for the defeater device 30. To accommodate the defeater 30, the
housing portion 24 of the handle 20 includes a bore 70 formed
therethrough. In the embodiment shown, the defeater 30 is placed
directly above the spindle 28. It can be appreciated that with the
defeater 30 placed in the housing 24, a separate remote defeater is
not required with separate mounting hardware, as is done with prior
art devices. The bore 70 includes a retainer receiving portion 72
which narrows to receive a retainer 40. In addition, at an opposite
end of the bore 70 is formed an enlarged insert receiving portion
76 forming a shoulder 74. The retainer 40 includes a slot 42 which
receives a small radially extending compression spring 44 and
retaining clip 46. The spring 44 is placed against the retainer 40
and clip 46. The clip 46 is substantially horseshoe shaped and
includes legs extending around the spring and has barbs engaging a
small slot below the main slot 42 to retain the clip 46 against the
retainer 40 and to hold the spring 44 in the slot 42. The spring 44
provides constant tension against the clip 46. Therefore, when the
retainer 40 is inserted into the narrowed portion 72 of the bore
70, the ramped entrance to the narrowed portion 72 pushes the clip
46 radially inward so that the retainer 40 may be inserted further
into the bore 70. When the retainer 40 has been inserted a
sufficient distance, the clip 46 will extend inward beyond the
narrowed retainer receiving portion of the bore 72 and past the
ledge formed by the narrowed portion 72. At this point, the
compression spring 44 pushes the clip 46 outward to abut the
shoulder formed by the narrowed portion 72, so that the retainer 40
may not be withdrawn, as shown in FIG. 7.
The retainer 40 includes an end key portion 64 which couples to a
defeater plunger member 50. The plunger member 50 includes a recess
66, as more clearly shown in FIGS. 6 and 10 to receive the end
portion 64 of the retainer 40. When inserted, rotation of the
retainer 40 also rotates the defeater plunger 50. The defeater
plunger 50 also includes tabs 52 which extend radially outward from
a lip of the plunger 50, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 10. A
compression spring 48 inserts into the recess 66 between the
defeater plunger 50 and the end 64 of the retainer 40. The plunger
member 50 is configured to slide within a cammed insert 60. The
cammed insert inserts into the bore against the shoulder 74 of the
bore 70. The insert 60 includes a cammed surface 62 extending
annularly around the end of the insert 60 as also shown in FIG. 11.
The plunger extends through the center of the insert 60 with the
tabs 52 sliding along the cammed surface 62. The insert 60 includes
ribs 67 and tab 69 or is otherwise configured so that it seats into
the enlarged end portion 76 of the bore 70. In this manner, the
insert 60 will not rotate relative to the enlarged bore 76.
A torsion spring 56 includes end tabs 58 extending axially outward.
When assembled, as shown in FIG. 7, the defeater plunger 50 inserts
through the insert 60 with the torsion spring 56 extending
annularly around the plunger 50 inside of the insert 60. The first
tab 58 of the torsion ring 50 inserts into a slot 54 formed in the
defeater plunger 50, as shown in FIG. 10. The other tab 58 inserts
into a slot 68 formed in the interior of the insert 60, shown in
FIG. 11.
In the position shown in FIG. 7, the defeater 30 is in the locked
position with the plunger member 50 inserting into recess 90 in the
escutcheon 26. In this position, the tabs 52 of the defeater
plunger 50 rest on the depressed portion of the cammed surface 62
of the insert 60. However, when rotated to the unlocked position,
as shown in FIG. 8, the plunger tabs 52 slide upward to the raised
portion of the cammed surface 62, pulling the plunger member 50
axially out of the recess 90, thereby unlocking the defeater
mechanism 30. It can be appreciated that the compression spring 48
urges the plunger member 50 into the recess 90. In addition, the
torsion spring 56 also resists unlocking rotation of the retainer
40 and defeater plunger 50, thereby pushing the plunger 50 to
rotate to slide inward toward a locked position. In this manner,
when the retainer 40 is rotated from its locked position, as shown
in FIG. 7, to the unlocked position shown in FIG. 8, the springs 48
and 56 will tend to push the plunger member 50 to seat in the
recess 90. In this manner, when the handle 20 is rotated, the
plunger member 50 pushes against the escutcheon base 80. However,
when the handle 20 is returned to its original locked position, the
springs 48 and 56 will rotate the retainer 40 and plunger 50 back
to their locked position and force the plunger member 50 back into
the recess 90, as shown in FIG. 7. This provides for automatic
locking and improved seating of the defeater mechanism 30 when in
the home locked position. With the cammed surface 62, rotation of
only 45 degrees is needed to fully unlock the defeater device 30.
It can be appreciated that the retainer member 40 will typically
have a slot for receiving a screwdriver or configured for receiving
some other type of tool, as tool actuation is a common requirement
for handles.
To unlock the defeater 30, the retainer 40 must be rotated to the
unlocked position with the actuator tool, thereby retracting the
plunger 50. The actuator tool must hold the retainer 40 in the
unlocked position while the handle 22 is rotated until the plunger
50 clears the rim of the recess 90. When the handle 22 is returned
to the locked position, the plunger 50 aligns with the recess 90
and the springs 48 and 56 push the plunger 50 back into the locked
position extending into the recess 90.
As shown in FIG. 6, the escutcheon includes a retainer member 94
and an O-ring 90 to help seal the flat base 80 and hold the
escutcheon 26 in place. In addition, an O-ring 92 seals around the
spindle 28. It can be appreciated that the opposite end of the
spindle 28 inserts into an extended recess 98 in the housing
portion 24. The recess 98 does not extend all the way through the
housing 24 so that an additional seal is not needed at the opposite
end of the spindle 28.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been
set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of
the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is
illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in
matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the
principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the
broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are
expressed.
* * * * *